29 April 2008

Joint Media Release from: Victoria University and Diabetes Australia-Vic (DA-Vic)

Victoria University Vice Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Harman at 10.30am today launched an innovative workplace wellness initiative in conjunction with Diabetes Australia-Vic at Victoria University's Footscray Park Campus.

With over 4,300 staff, VU is one of the major employers in Melbourne's west and is working together with DA-Vic to encourage diabetes prevention among VU staff and the employers and communities of Melbourne's western suburbs.

Professor Harman said, "VU staff will assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by using a simple risk test developed by DA-Vic. Staff at risk will be offered help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. We will act as an exemplar employer and help demonstrate the value of such programs to other major employers in the region."

"The initiative at VU is consistent with State Government priorities around diabetes prevention, particularly in the workplace where Access Economics have shown that diabetes has resulted in lost national productivity of $4078.8million in 2005 alone. With the high rates of diabetes in Melbourne's west, this means a cost of around $158.87million."

VU is moving to systematically offer type 2 diabetes risk assessment to all its employees, starting with the significant proportion of staff who are over 50 and therefore at increased risk. One in four Australians is at risk of developing the disease. Among VU staff alone this equates to 1075 people. The numbers suggest a disease that is becoming epidemic in proportion.

VU staff members who are committed to the program told their stories at the launch.

Professor Ian Rouse, VU's Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Engineering and Science said, "Diabetes is one of the major lifestyle-related diseases. If I can encourage more people to stop and think about what they can do to maintain better health then it will be of great benefit to them, their families and the University."

Marlon Booth, Indigenous Employment Coordinator at VU said, "Diabetes is one of the major illnesses suffered by Indigenous Australians. This initiative's focus on prevention is the major reason for my support."

Kay Heriot, Operations Supervisor at VU's Bookshop explains, "I have seen what effect, physically and emotionally, diabetes can have on people. If awareness can assist with prevention, then I'm all for it."

The risk assessment tool showed some employees that they were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and had as high as a 1 in 2 chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the next five years.


Professor Harman said, "While older people are seen to be at highest risk, younger people are also developing the disease. I am very pleased that Victoria University is leading the way in taking action against diabetes and being a responsible employer in encouraging all staff to take the risk of diabetes seriously."

Greg Johnson CEO, DA-Vic said, "This is a wonderful example of a major organisation looking outside the square and playing an important role in creating healthier communities - both in its internal community of employees, and in the broader community in Melbourne's west."

"Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by nearly sixty per cent. By preventing type 2 diabetes in the workplace, productivity and workplace participation increases."

Media contacts:

Ms Christine White, Media Manager,
Marketing & Communications Department,
Victoria University

Ph: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884
Lyn Curtis, Communications Manager, Diabetes Australia-Vic
Ph: (03) 9667 1714; Mobile: 0411 019 924